Wednesday 2 October 2013

Spain: the first stage

 
My trip to Spain began with the drive south from Caunes, across the border near Jonquera, ( what a strange place….a real border town, making the most of selling stuff in Spain, to the French, who can pick up cleaning products ( and booze) at a fraction of the price in French supermarkets), further south to Figuera, bypassing Barcelona and onto Benicassim.
Theatre in Figuera.....me experimenting with the black & white setting
 
The sun shone, the autumn temperatures climbed and we decided we should have packed the sun tan lotion after all.



Arriving at Bibi’s home in Benicassim was lovely. Her garden guest house was very inviting and comfortable, and her adorable daughter entertained us with her amazing grasp of English. Uma is 6, but is very capable of speaking English and American, and clearly understands the subtle differences.
 

 
 
 
 
 
Bibi prepared a gorgeous meal, taught me how to prepare red peppers in the most delicious way, and she and Vicente made us very welcome.
 
The next day involved us walking on the beach and visiting a magnificent restaurant in the mountains and seeing Benicassim far below us.
 
 
The evening was spent eating wonderful tapas and walking through the town before stopping for a coffee while Uma played at a playground. We talked about “the crisis”, which did not seem very obvious to us, from watching a busy, clearly affluent town, where businesses flourished. Strong Spanish family ties…..where parents and grandparents are supporting the young is one way that the crisis is being hidden. In some areas 50% of young people are unemployed. A hidden economy exists where earnings are not declared, and cash payments required for work undertaken. These are ways of surviving in a climate where benefits, and huge social welfare cuts are being made.
Bibi with Vicente and Uma
So, some serious discussions, amongst catching up with Bibi and her family. I was one of Bibi’s teachers in 1984/5, when she, like me, spent a year in an American high school.  It is an experience that was important for both of us, and it is a real delight to me that we have kept in touch over the years. Bibi lived with a family in Sheboygan, Wisconsin during that year, and her American “mom” became one of my great friends…..she also taught at the high school. Needless to say, some of the talk between Bibi and I was about her US mom, my friend, Jane……and how we would love to get her and Lee over to Europe again. Now that they have Bibi in Benicassim and me in Caunes…..a mere 5 hour drive away, we think we can build a good case.
It was with sadness that I left Bibi, but it is great to realise that we are only a few hours apart now…..so, getting together will be easier now than ever.
Looking forward to seeing you again soon Uma.
 

14 comments:

  1. Great post, Janice - and what an amazing daughter Bibi and Vicente have. That last photo is fantastic. As you say, they are not so far away...it's the drive south to Jaen that is the real long-haul. Of which, more to come soon!! Axxx

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    1. Bibi and her family are a real delight to spend time with...and they did make it up to us in Caunes last year, so yes, we have both shown that the trip is entirely possible. Actually, when we drove back from Alcala, taking the motorways all the way, it was much quicker...and an easier drive. So don't rule out the prospect of us turning up on the doorstep again ! Jxxx

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  2. It's wonderful that you have kept in touch...you, Bibi and her American 'mom'....over the years.
    Is this the first time - apart from photographs, that you have seen Uma?

    I saw no open signs of 'the crisis' when I was over on flying visits, but heard a lot about how people are only making ends meet thanks to help from families.

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    1. I have actually seen Uma 3 times. I went to her very beautiful christening party when she was a baby..... Bibi's American family came over too, as well as a Belgian girl who had been in Bibi's American class. I had taught them both, so it was a wonderful get together, as well as being a fantastic family occasion. ( Bibi and Vicente have 2 older sons.. so the birth of the little princess was cause for great celebration with all the family). Then just last year, Bibi and her family travelled up to Caunes to see us. Uma was a super star even then, at 5 years old....her language skills are astounding.

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  3. As the American 'mom', I truly enjoyed your post today. It has taken 'time and effort' to stay in touch all these years, but the joy that comes from it is more than worth it.

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    1. So glad you have commented here Jane.... as you can imagine, you were talked about a lot. I would say that although keeping in touch does take time.... the effort involved is always really worth it. I do hope you will think about a European trip....but mark and I will want to talk about a US trip in 2015 ( 2014 will be Australia, NZ, UK & France )so, I know we will want to include Arizona in that ! Jxxx

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  4. When we visited Spain last Spring we asked ourselves the same question, and came to the same conclusions as you. Sunday evening the families were out parading as usual with their little daughters and the mothers dress up in the most fabulous outfits.
    What a beautiful, and striking looking girl Uma is - she will break a few hearts.

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    1. It isn't just the fabulous( expensive looking) clothes the women wear, it is the "just come from the hairdressers " look that they all seem to have that amazed me.
      yes, Uma is gorgeous....and a delightful child as well.

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  5. What a lovely post. Beautiful pictures and Uma is just gorgeous -- in fact you all are!

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  6. I first visited Spain as a child in 1958 & the "just had a hair-do" look existed then, even in villages. Needless to say, Mum & I soon found out where the local ladies went & joined in the fun - it was great that my mother had taught herself Spanish before our holiday!

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    1. Once I had noticed the hair dos, everywhere I looked I could see them. Fascinating.

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  7. Such wonderful photos of a country I've never set foot in, so I'm enjoying visiting it vicariously through your posts. I think it's marvellous to have kept in touch with Bibi as you have, as well as with Jane. These longstanding relationships enrich our lives amazingly.

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    1. Bibi was a great student back in the 80s, and Jane was a great friend to me when I was trying to come to terms with living in the US mid west. What has been good is that over the years we have managed to get together so many times. Now it is easier for Bibi and I....just a 5 hour drive , not much at all in the grand scheme of things.

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